Can't Keep It To Myself

Mark 1:45 - Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Have you ever had some great news that you just couldn't keep to yourself? Put yourself in the place of this man. When he met Jesus, his body was restored that had been literally falling apart. Jesus restored his relationship with his wife and children, and brought him back to all his friends who thought they would never see him again.

His opportunity to worship God was also restored. All the doubts that God loved him were taken away! It's as if we were denied the chance to pray or read our bibles, and then we were suddenly allowed to worship God again! What if all of this happened to you in an instant? As fast as you had lost everything, it was all given back to you.

Now imagine that the man who did this for you tells you not to tell anyone. You have to keep it to yourself! Tell no one. No one? My wife? Kids? Friends? Strangers? How would you keep that one to yourself? I am all for obedience, but that would be a challenge!

Think about what God has done for us spiritually. He saved us from physical, mental, social and spiritual disaster, all the effects of sin in our lives. He did it all! His love for us is amazing! He gave us a new life, a new chance!

Is there anything that can get us to keep this news to ourselves? 

How does it feel when your teacher or boss stands up in front of your friends or coworkers and shares about the great work you have done? How does it feel when you overhear a friend sharing how much he admires you? How does it feel when someone lifts you up in front of others, and they don't even know you are listening?

It feels great! It's encouraging! It's what you might call glorifying another.

When we share about Jesus to a class, to a friend, to a stranger, we are glorifying him in the same way. The teacher doesn't care if everyone in the class agrees, but she recognizes the greatness of an individual, and she shares about them. We recognized the love, the grace, the salvation, the greatness of Jesus, and we we share it with others.

Even if he told us to be quiet, I don't think we could do it. He has done too much for us. 

Prayer Month!

I just wanted to personally thank you as we come to the end of Mark 1, and as we close out our month of prayer for the churches in Europe and New England. There was not a prayer that was not heard this month, there was not a prayer that was not answered.

Thank you for your faith and love that is evident to all. 

Shawn Wooten, Executive Director